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getting a new 81 vette

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Old Jun 5, 2002 | 04:42 PM
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Default getting a new 81 vette

i am about to purchase a new vette... and i was wondering if you all would tell me if its a reasonable price. its an 81, white ext. red int. the int looks like its off the factory floor. the body is the same... i can't find a flaw on the fiberglass. the frame has a VERY small amount of surface rust... right below the doors. small amount though. the engine is numbers matching and has 50 K original miles on it. Glass t-tops. no mech problems and new rims.

it is costing me $13,900 is that good? i think it is... i almost fell over when i saw the car. thanks for your input!
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Old Jun 5, 2002 | 04:58 PM
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Default Re: getting a new 81 vette (deftones1407)

I've been looking on the net for a 81/82 and your price seems reasonable.
If the car is as nice as you say then you did alright. You can put a lot
of money in paint and interior to bring it up to where you want it.
Originality and miles would be the next convern with me. what's a car
in KBB worth?
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Old Jun 5, 2002 | 05:04 PM
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Default Re: getting a new 81 vette (dknueve)

not sure what the KBB is...
online on there site http://www.kbb.com they stop at like 83 or something... they don't go any earlier.. but if anyone knows anywhere that does PLEASE dont keep it a secret
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Old Jun 5, 2002 | 05:09 PM
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Default Re: getting a new 81 vette (deftones1407)

$13000 for an 81?!?!?!?!??! if thats in american that is wwwaayyyy over priced! Corvettes around that year in canada are selling for about $13000... so american that would be about $9000
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Old Jun 5, 2002 | 05:10 PM
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Default Re: getting a new 81 vette (deftones1407)

Juliet has a nice page that may help.
http://www.annapolis.net/members/jul...Buy&Price.html
:cheers:
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Old Jun 5, 2002 | 05:12 PM
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Default Re: getting a new 81 vette (The_Dude)

well... yeah you can buy a $9000 vette.. if you want to spend over a year repairing it... i mean the car that i am buying is absolutely mint
looks like it just rolled off the floor
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Old Jun 5, 2002 | 05:14 PM
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Default Re: getting a new 81 vette (Justin79-L-82)

$13000 for an 81?!?!?!?!??!
Around here, that sounds about right if the car is absolutely immaculate. I think you're right if the car is in average condition. It's more like $6-9k.
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Old Jun 5, 2002 | 05:14 PM
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Default Re: getting a new 81 vette (deftones1407)

Sounds fairly reasonable - the key thing is that you like it - a lot !
.....no price can compare with the :D on yer face when you drive it !!! :cheers: :cool:

Be sure to post pics if you buy it ! :flag
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Old Jun 5, 2002 | 05:15 PM
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Default Re: getting a new 81 vette (The_Dude)

iw ill have pics to show you soon.... its not mine yet. i wish i could show you then you would all understand .. i'm not exagurating that this car looks like factory.

i think its a fair price.. i didn't feel like buying something cheap and having to fix it
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Old Jun 5, 2002 | 05:24 PM
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Default Re: getting a new 81 vette (deftones1407)

i wish i could show you then you would all understand
Don't worry, most of us do. Many of us have put more money than we care to admit into our cars trying to get them back into shape. ;)
For that kind of cash, you might want to get a mechanic to check it over first. Even with the low mileage, the car is still over 20 years old, and there could be hidden mechanical problems waiting for you.


[Modified by The_Dude, 4:35 PM 6/5/2002]
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Old Jun 5, 2002 | 08:28 PM
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Default Re: getting a new 81 vette (deftones1407)

I got mine for $9300 last year but I felt I got a great deal. Then I replaced the carpet, installed a better radio, did a lot of cleaning, new headers. It had 74k on it but it really looks great, not quite showroom but I do take it to a few shows. I don't think that price is WAY out of line, but see if you can get it down a bit. If I was to sell mine I would ask that but probably settle for less.
If I list mine in the near future please disregard that last sentence :jester
If YOU are happy with that price then by all means, just go over it well.
Good luck and keep us posted,
John

Also based on your location and the cost of living difference, it's probably not that far off.


[Modified by n8370c, 7:29 PM 6/5/2002]
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Old Jun 5, 2002 | 08:34 PM
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Default Re: getting a new 81 vette (deftones1407)

Prices vary WILDLY by region! In Texas, that'd be a pretty good price if the car is as excellent as you say... :smash:
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Old Jun 5, 2002 | 08:44 PM
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Default Re: getting a new 81 vette (n8370c)

From what I have seen since I got my 81', If its as nice as you seem to believe it is then 13k really isn't a bad price at all. It's right at the high end for an 81 so it should be imaculate at that price but the main thing is that you get the car you want at a price you like.

I did a little research on my car after I bought it and found out that with the options installed on my car it should have originally sold for around $19,700 in 1981. I saw an 81' Identical to mine, same options, same color combo etc sell at an automobile auction for a little over 24,000 (Show room condition with 2880 original miles on the odometer). I payed a little more then $6,000 for mine but I've put a whole lot of money and work into it and I still have a long ways to go.

In short? A Corvette is worth whatever your willing to pay for it:) As long as your happy with what you've got then thats all that matters:)
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Old Jun 5, 2002 | 11:11 PM
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Default Re: getting a new 81 vette (The_Dude)

a very clean and original 81 can get 13,000.depends alot on mileage also.i've got an 81 I am trying to sell for 5500 which the car is fair condition but far from oem.
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Old Jun 5, 2002 | 11:22 PM
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Default Re: getting a new 81 vette (all smiles 81)

Try http://www.corvettemagazine.com/ I think they have a price calculator on their site. The site only works with Internet Exploder though :rolleyes:
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Old Jun 5, 2002 | 11:25 PM
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Default Re: getting a new 81 vette (deftones1407)

I checked kelly blue book on an 82 and it said in real good condition 9000.I think kb is full of crap or no one reads what they say because I priced several cars on kb and I think they are way under what vettes are going for.It said an 82 in fair condition 3900.That to me is a price of a very poor shape 82.
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Old Jun 6, 2002 | 01:26 AM
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Default Re: getting a new 81 vette (deftones1407)

In the June, 2002 Cars and Parts Corvette magazine there is a price guide covering all Vettes...1981 Parts car: 2,500, Restorable, 5,000,
Driver: 9,500, Very good:13,000 Restored, 17,000 and Concours: 20,000...
add 400 for am-fm, 400 for aluminum wheels, 400 for glass tops, 500 for two tone, and 2,000 for 4 speed (last year).
And if you love it...priceless. Stevo
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Old Jun 6, 2002 | 01:53 AM
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Default Re: getting a new 81 vette (Stevo)

If it's as nice as you say then the price isn't bad...

Go here http://www.cnv-corvettes.com/ And you can see some 81's and 82's for sale in pretty decent shape....
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Old Jun 6, 2002 | 02:09 AM
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Default Re: getting a new 81 vette (Desertdawg)

That's is a very reasonable price around here. I was just looking in a auto trader the other day at 81's selling in my area..... Out of 5, 4 were $12K++ [jaws drop] :crazy: I guess it just depends upon your area. If it is as nice as you say, and you like it, go for it. You can't go wrong with a 81 :D :D
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Old Jun 6, 2002 | 02:24 AM
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Default Re: getting a new 81 vette (deftones1407)

man, i don't know. i think ALL vette prices are way inflated (being poor has a way of shaping your opinions!), but that is just me. i've thought about it and if i put mine up for sale, i thought $6k would be a fair market price although i wouldn't pay that much to buy mine :crazy:
according to the market, the one your looking at is on the high side of fair. i just STRONGLY recommend making sure it is mechanically sound. there are a bunch of con artists out there just looking for someone to screw :mad don't let your enthusiasm and emotion get the better of you, even if your a corvette guru, take someone with nothing invested to look at it with you who will give you an impartial opinion. lastly, drive it and enjoy it often! :cheers:


[Modified by clutchdust, 10:25 PM 6/5/2002]


[Modified by clutchdust, 10:27 PM 6/5/2002]
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